Device for counting persons ascending and descending a flight of steps



Jan. 10, 1950 P. A. MEURIOT DEVICE FOR (:0

UNTING PERSONS ASCENDING AND DESCENDING A FLIGHT OF STEPS Filed Aug. 28, 1946 Inventor PA.MeuzLot Patentecl Jan. l0,

DEVICE FOR COUNTING PERSONS ASCEND- ING AND DESCENDING A FLIGHT OF STEPS Paul Andr Meuriot, Paris, France Application August 28, 1946, Serial No. 693,505 In France August 31, 1945 3 Claims. (Cl. 346-40) This invention has for its object an electromechanical device for the graphical recording of the various elements which constitute items in the commercial working of a public conveyance vehicle.

It provides for the counting of the number of passengers boarding the vehicles or descending therefrom at each compulsory or optional stopping point. It may further comprise a mechanism for the graphical recording of the running schedule, as well as the time and duration of accidental stops and, if desired, the simultaneous recording of the milage accomplished from a given starting point. Finally, the system for registering the movement of passengers may, if desired, be supplemented by a totalizer.

Examination of the record sheet makes it, therefore possible, to reconstruct a posteriori:

The schedule of the vehicle-arrival and start and from compulsory or optional stopping points;

Duration of accidental stops resulting from incidents in the travel of the vehicle;

The milage accomplished between the different voluntary or involuntary stops of the vehicle;

The amount of circulation of passengers at each stop, both boarding and leaving the vehicle;

In a word, to control the conditions of commercial working of a public transportation line or any other similar concern;

The device includes three distinct parts, the combination of which makes it possible to obtain the desired result.

These are as follows:

First part: Electro-mechanical device for releasing the movement of the registering apparatus at a stop of the vehicle.

Second part: Electro-mechanical device for counting the passengers boarding or leaving the vehicle.

Third part: Registering device with or without totalizing means of number of passengers boarding or leaving the vehicle, either combined or not with a device providing for the automatic recording of the time at which such movement of passengers in the vehicle occurs, either combined or not with a device providing for the automatic recording of the milage travelled between two consecutive stops.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example several distinct embodiments of the invention, as described in detail hereinafter.

Fig. 1 is a general diagram of the mechanism.

' Fig. 2 shows a fragment of the recording strip.

Fig. 3 shows a particular device for mounting the single-pen recording mechanism.

Fig. 4 shows a fragment of the recording strip corresponding to the use of the device illustrated in Fig. 3..

Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams of the embodiment of electrical contacts by pneumatic means.

Figs. 7 and 8 relate to fragments of the record strip in the case of the use of two pens and of a single pen, respectively.

The electro-mechanical device for releasing the recorder at each stop of the vehicle ensures closure of an electric circuit originating from the storage battery I of the vehicle.

It comprises:

(a) A small ball-regulator 2, or any other centrifugally controlled device, mechanically driven by a power take-off from the drive shaft of the vehicle, effected below the clutch 3, that is, where the basic movement is a direct function of the displacement of the vehicle.

(b) A switch 4, mechanically coupled to the centrifugal governor.

It will be understood that the upward and downward displacements of the sleeve 5 of the ball-governor automatically produce opening or closure of a switch of the rotary or alternating type with which it is mechanically coupled and from which it is electrically insulated.

This electric circuit acts either directly upon the feeding movement of the record strip 6 when such movement is effected electrically, or indirectly by blocking the mechanical device driving said record strip.

From the above circuit are derived auxiliary circuits for registering the impulses originating from the counting device.

As a modification the electro-mechanical device for releasing the recording mechanism and for putting the circuits into operation may be operatively coupled with the opening and closing of the entrance door of the vehicle, when the latter is provided with one.

The electro-mechanical device for counting the number of passengers boarding or leaving the vehicle comprises a mechanical portion constituted by the upper platform 7 of the first step providing for access into the vehicle.

' This platform rests upon the fixed step 8 unitary with the frame of the vehicle itself.

The upper platform 1 may be organized in a simple way, in order mechanically to produce by a vertical displacement of said platform with respect to the lower part of said step which remains fixed, under the weight of the passenger, closure of an electric circuit acting upon an electro-magnet which controls an appropriate recording pen the movement of which creates an inscription on a recording strip in front of which it is arranged.

In this form of embodiment, the number of passengers boarding or alighting from the vehicle is recorded indiscriminately.

Discrimination between the entry and exit movements of passengers may be obtained by the use of two successive steps, adapted as explained above. The order of closure of the contacts which are individually associated with each of those steps, makes it possible to obtain graphical records which are characteristic of the entry and exit movements of the passengers.

The above embodiment which is self-evident, is not illustrated in the drawing. The number of movements of the pen or pens may be totalized by an appropriate counting mechanism.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 has means for producing, by a longitudinal displacement in a direction perpendicular to that of the entrance step, the alternate closure and opening of two distinct electric circuits.

For that purpose, the moveable upper platform 1 rests upon the lower. platform 8 through the interposal of steel rollers or balls, movable in suitable guide-ways. The amplitude of displacement to either side of the stable position is adjustable. In this embodiment, the passenger boarding the vehicle supports himself with one foot against the ground, while the other foot is placed on the movable platform of the step.

This displacement of the center of gravity of the passenger whose weight is shifted from one foot to the other exerts a stress which causes a displacement of the movable platform I of the entrance step relatively to the fixed portion 8 of the step which is unitary with the frame of the vehicle, in the direction of the movement of the passenger, i. e. inwardly of the vehicle.

The relative displacement of the movable platform 1 ensures closure of the contacts I5 which act upon the auxiliary circuit 9.

Upon passing from the first step to the second step which is flush with the flooring of the vehicle, the displacement of the center of gravity of the passenger causes a displacement of the movable platform I outwardly of the vehicle, breaks the contacts l5 and makes the contacts [B which act upon the auxiliary circuit Ill.

The relative movements of the platform 7 with respect to the fixed part of the step 8 may be promoted by a suitable inclination of the plane of said platform I with respect to the horizontal plane, such inclination being inboard with respect to the vehicle.

In the case of a passenger alighting from the vehicle, the movements of the movable platform are accomplished in the reverse order. The first contacts to be closed are the contacts [6, then the contacts [5.

The stable position of the movable platform corresponds to the concurrent open position of contacts [5 and [6. It is obtained either by the use of a suitable biassing spring bearing against the portion 8 unitary with the frame of the vehicle or a pneumatic device or by any other suitabl mechanical means.

The auxiliary circuits 9 and I0 include electromagnets which control:

Pens l3 or M, respectively, the movements of which create inscriptions on the record strip 6, before which they are placed.

This strip 6 is common to both pens. Each group of two inscriptions, one per pen, makes it possible to determine whether the graphical recording is that of a boarding or of an alighting movement of a passenger, by the order in which the records occur in the record strip.

Fig. 2 shows the appearance of such a double record in the case of a single passenger boarding the vehicle and in that of two passengers alighting therefrom.

Fig. 3 shows a single pen associated with a pair of electro-"nagnets We and [9b, one of which relates to the auxiliary circuit 9 (boarding) and the other to the auxiliary circuit l0 (alighting).

The penis pivoted on a pivot 20 and has at its base, and extending perpendicularly to the pen, a rod carrying a pair of weights 2 la and 2 lb.

The assembly forms an electro-magnetic balance wherein the pen plays the part of an indicating needle and the weights that of pans.

A suitable device 22 serves to counterbalance the pen, in the direction of feed of the recording strip, when the contacts [5 and 16 are in open condition.

When current flows through either of the electro-magnets placed opposite to the weights, equilibrium is destroyed. The pen moves in the direction imparted thereto by the displacement of the weight attracted by the particular electromagnet which is energised.

The impulses received by the pen are inscribed either right or left of its stable position, and this makes it possible to discriminate between those which are caused by boarding-contacts l5, and by alighting-contacts [6, according to the order in which they occur in groups of two successive inscriptions.

Fig. 4 shows the appearance of the record in the case of boarding and in that of alighting.

In Fig. 1 are diagrammatically shown the contact breaking devices I5 and I6, respectively provided for opening and closing the circuits 9 and It, according to the direction of the horizontal impulse imparted to the platform I by the passing of a passenger boarding the vehicle or alighting therefrom.

The contacts may be established mechanically by means of a metal member, the end of which is electrically insulated from and unitary with the movable platform I.

A longitudinal displacement of the movable platform '1 causes either directly through said member, or through any other mechanical means for amplifying the movement of the platform, connection between the metal parts ensuring the flow of current.

The contacts may be established pneumatically, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The ends of the moveable platform 1, perpendicular to the direction of the boarding and alighting movements, each bear upon a suitably shaped airchamber, such as 23.

Each of such air-chambers 23 is housed in a metallic member 24 forming a casing for said chamber and unitary with the frame of the vehicle. This metallic member 24 is formed with a slot into which extends the corresponding end of the movable platform I suitably guided, which operates as a piston in a cylinder, in a direction parallel to the axis of said cylinder.

One of the end faces of said cylinder is open and opposite to said end face are arranged the contacts. One of these is fixed and bears upon an element unitary with the frame and overlying the free end of the housing of the air chamber. The other contact is movable and is placed at the end of the air chamber, which is capable of expanding.

It will be understood that any increase in the pressure within the air chamber resulting from the movement of the movable platform has for effect to cause said chamber to extend through the bulge formed by the free end face of the cylinder and thus causes contact between the metal parts ensuring flow of current.

The power transmission could also be accomplished either hydraulically, or by combined air and oil pressure.

The above device as a whole makes it possible, by adjustment of the pressure of the fluid contained in the elastic chambers to obtain equilibrium of the movable platform without resorting to the use of any other mechanical means.

Totalizing of the movements of the pen or pens in both directions-respectively boarding and alighting-may be provided for by a suitably numbered totalizer.

The recording device may be mechanically controlled, acting upon the feed of the record strip (clockwise mechanism). Release thereof is ensured by an electrical relay energised by the circuit the opening and closure of which are operatively associated with the centrifugal governor described above. It is this clockwork mechanism which is indicated at I! in Fig. 1.

It could also be of the type having a direct electric control, the drive being provided by a small motor, starting and stopping of which are caused by the closure and opening of the associated switch.

Finally, the recording device may be made to comprise a clock having recording rollers I8, the indications of which are picked up on the record strip at the instant when the vehicle stops and during the whole period when it remains stationary, being combined or not with recording means for the milage by a suitable recording counter.

The recording strip will then have printed thereon, beside the time-indications of the starts for the device as a whole, the mileage, the graphic recording of the movements of the passengers boarding and alighting from the vehicle when the latter is stopped, and examination of the strip will make it possible to check on the actual working conditions of the transportation line on which the vehicle provided with the described device runs.

I claim:

1. In a device for counting persons ascending and descending a flight of steps, the combination of a platform, slidably mounted on a step of the flight, for rectilinear movement transversely of said step in two directions under the impulses caused by the passage of persons ascending and descending said flight, respectively; a pair of electric switches mounted on said step and said platform, and actuated by the movements of the platform in said directions, respectively; and a pair of indicating means controlled by said switches, respectively.

2. A device, according to claim 1, having pneumatic actuators for said switches, respectively, said actuators being responsive to the movements of said platform.

3. In a device for counting persons ascending and descending a flight of steps, the combination of a platform; rollers mounted on a step of the flight and supporting said platform parallel to said step for rectilinear oscillation transversely of said step under impulses caused by the passage of persons ascending and descending; an electric switch having a contact fixed on an edge of said step and a second contact fixed on an edge of said platform, said switch being closed and opened when said platform is oscillated to move its edge toward and away from said edge of the step; a second electric switch having a contact fixed on the opposite edge of the step and a, second contact fixed on the opposite edge of said platform, said second switch being closed and opened when said platform is oscillated to move its said other edge toward and away from said other edge of the step; and a pair of electrical indicating means actuated by the closing of said switches, respectively.

PAUL ANDRE MEURIOT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

